I saw this project by Gullaume Gentet, a French designer living in New York. It intrigued me because it's a traditional jewel box of a home full of cool, sparkly, unconventional design that's quirky and fun filled for a young family.
The niches were created in the foyer to show off the family's Murano glass collection. The light fixture tops it all off. I like that the entrance has a gallery feel.
Every surface is dreamy and shiny. Silks, satins, silk velvets, glass, mirror, Venetian plaster, lacquer, gilding, and tiles are incorporated to create lustrous layers of sheen. The reflective quality "lights up" each room and gracefully dances around it as the sunlight changes throughout the day.
Sparkly surfaces abound in every room and except for the kitchen, rainbow brights keep everything cheerful and light.
At first glance you would think the high gloss green library is papered in that mod print but it is actually églomisé, where the back of mirror is painted; an unusual, unexpected, brilliant touch!
Metallics create a sense of luxury and transcend the style. Crisp white is the perfect backdrop for all the color and shine.
What you cannot see from the photos is the walls are dusted with glitter in the bedroom and combed with mica in the foyer. The shimmer and shine are everywhere. The closet panels are even inset with glass beaded wallpaper. No surface was immune to some sort of fabulous lustrous treatment.
The four poster bed was made by making a custom column, splitting it in four, lacquering the outside, and silver gilting the inside for more added sparkle and shine. Because maybe there is not enough in the house??
There are enough quiet moments (not many but enough) and solid colors to make the reflective surfaces POP. That's the key, and this look succeeds because it was created with a deft hand and keen eye that is Mr Gentet's gift. His rooms are colorful and joyful, whimsical and exacting.
Ph: Guillaume Gentet
